Maytag A406 washer - should it go to the dump? and other questions...

[thaobecca]

Hi, I just found this site and I was hoping someone could help me out on a bit of history.
I bought this house about a year ago and it came with a washing machine. It's a Maytag A406. I am wondering what year this washer is from.
We added a newer Frigidaire dryer when we bought the house, and just this week upgraded to an even newer Frigidaire washer. We were going to take the washer to the dump, but after viewing this site, I have second thoughts. Can anyone tell me what I might get for this washer? I believe it is Avocado, a light green color. Pretty good condition, no real scuffs or signs of wear. Runs well for the most part. (As I have learned, with older appliances you sometimes have to factor in age when you rate their effectiveness.)
I honestly did not realize the people collected old machines until I found this site. I can take photos if anyone wishes to see.
I also have a 70's era gas Magic Chef stove/range that I would appreciate any information on its history.
Oh, and my refrigerator is an older Frigidaire too. Not fancy, but old enough to draw attention when people come in. It's yellow, like the stove.

 

[thaobecca]

I did forget to mention that I have the original Owner's Manual for the washer. Don (the man who lived here before) seems to be good at holding on to things.
Also, any idea what the washer would hve cost at the time?

 

[bobbyderegis]

Dear Thaobecca,
Your Maytag A406 is a fine washer, and I'm very sure someone in your area would be interested in purchasing it. I dare say it will probably outlast any new machine you might buy. It is large capacity, which is good, but unfortunately it only has one speed, ie, no gentle action. This is a drawback. Still, it is a very fine machine. You might consider asking for best offer. Only collectors like us would place any value on it. A newspaper ad or yard sale would probably not bring any amount more that $50, but to someone who may be looking for a match to their avocado dryer, this may bring more. Good luck to you, and keep an eye on this posting!
Bobby in Boston

 

[leesdkenmore]

pictures,pictures,pictures, as I can attest posted here will bring you intrest.

 

[thaobecca]

Thank you both for your help. I will get some pictures up ASAP.

 

[goatfarmer]

406's are unusual washers,don't see a lot of them.It's worth something to a collector,or at the very least,find a place like Goodwill,or Salvation Army thrift store type places,and donate it.DON'T TAKE IT TO THE DUMP!

kennyGF

 

[maytagbear]

Maytag single speed machines....

The Maytag single speed is a fairly gentle machine. My Aunt Anna always had a single speed Maytag. She was always meticulously dressed, made many of her and her daughters's clothes, and was always lovely.

You finnessed the lack of a designated gentle speed by soaking, and a shorter wash time.

I've always had two-speed Maytags, but just because the option is fun.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[wmlask]

Old Maytag

Why are you getting rid of this machine? At its current age, it has more life left in it than the new machine you just purchased.

 

[thaobecca]

what is the estimated age of this machine anyway? I mean is it 20 years old, 30, or less? The owners manual gives me no clue and no one here has given me a definitive range...

 

[thaobecca]

Dear Mr. wmlsk,
Given my washer's age, and your quickness to criticize mydecision to purchase a newer model, are you willing to make an offer? Perhaps the spunk left in the washer is only rivalled by the spunk in the seller...Pics will come soon, I promise, minor pipe leaking issue elsewhere in the house. water on basement floor, AWAY from all appliances.

http://www.nofound.com

 

[goatfarmer]

It's going to be from the late 60's,early 70's era.30+ years old.

kennyGF

 

[frontaloadotmy]

the letters in the serial number

are month and year codes. What is the serial #. Your
link did not dispay a photo.

 

[thaobecca]

it is model KK406 seriel 152013HZ

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Based on the color

and the serial # it was manufactured 12/69.
It's fairly vintage, but you won't be able to use it for
college tuition!

 

[thaobecca]

hehe, I already graduated from college. Too bad Cornell did not offer classes on vintage washers1

 

[thaobecca]

Pics are coming. My boyfriend currently has the darn thing laying down (I know, more prone to scuffs) I am having a hard time uprighting it myself. Old washers are heavy!

 

[thaobecca]

frontaloadotmy, just out of pure curiousity, how did you come up with 12/69 as a manufacture date based on serial? The numbers 152013HZ do not suggest 12/69 to me. what is the secret?

 

[toggleswitch]

My boyfriend currently has the darn thing laying down.
I am having a hard time uprighting it myself.

TSK TSK at your age this should not be a problem.

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Maytag DaVinci Coding

thaobecca the last time I had the lonely maytag repairman
in for coffee, he gave me a list of date codes. The dating is embedded in the last characters of the the ser #, ie the
letters HZ. Since you are very new to the vintage washing machine paradigm, I strongly caution you to not attempt
machine dating without close, experienced supervision!!!!

 

[goatfarmer]

Don't leave it laying down too long,transmission oil and such might leak.....

kennyGF

 

[thaobecca]

ok, I finally got the darn thing upright. There are a few scuff marks as can be seen in the pictures. On the front edges I don't think they will wipe off, but the others seem to be just temporary. The pics did not come out as clear on the page as I had hoped. I can email them to anyone who would like a better view.

 

[thaobecca]

Here are the controls...BTW, in that last picture, the front looks much lighter than the rest of the machine. That is only from the flash.

 

[thaobecca]

And the tub...

 

[thaobecca]

This is a close up of a few of the scratches...

 

[thaobecca]

Finally, the cover of the Owner's Manual. It is yellowed and has some watermarks but is in otherwise good condition for its age.

 

[brettsomers]

I dare say it will probably outlast any new machine you migh

i have to agree. its too bad the porcelain (?) on the front had to be ruined by laying it down. its too bad *new* is more valuable to most consumers than *quality*. can the scratches on the front be polished off?

 

[thaobecca]

Some of the scratches can be polished off. The ones on the edges are through the paint. I blame my boyfriend. He did not realize there was a resell market for old washers when he installed the new one. I will give him grief for all of you.

Even if the old Maytag lasts another 10 years, the energy and water savings from the new Frigidaire will more than make up for the cost. Already saw a 12% reduction in water usage in one month. Too bad some consumers are more concerned with their vintage collections than they are about saving water and power on their machines.

 

[Maytagmom]

Umm,

Too bad some consumers are more concerned with their vintage collections than they are about saving water and power on their machines.

My A606 uses 40 gallons of water per large load.
Since I found this out....I do more laundry.... (thx Erik

This site isn't named Conservationist's Washers of America.

And honey...maybe some day when you get as old as some of us, you too will be wishing for the good ol' days, when things were made of STEEL and not some plastic MIC crap.

Oooohhh, I better shut up....

 

[frontaloadotmy]

thaobecca

Nice Maytag. Rather than haul it to the dump, since it still works why not offer it to a Habitat for Humanity type store?
While it uses more water it does what it is supposed to do,
no need to add it to the landfill just yet.

 

[brettsomers]

Too bad some consumers are more concerned with their vintage

i hate to admit *becca* has a point! this is the only bad thing i can say about these fabulous old machines, they do use a disgracefull amount of water. however, you could also say that the poor quality and short-lived designs of the machines being produced today are a waste of resources too, since they will last maybe 10 years before being trashed. after 10 years, one of these old Maytags is just breaking in its belt!